Manchester State Rep. Garrity resigns

Garrity arrested in July on charges he assaulted ex-wife

State Rep. Patrick Garrity, D-Manchester, announced his resignation from the state house on Wednesday, saying he plans to move out of his Ward 7 district.

Garrity, who is a Manchester firefighter, was the subject of a number of unflattering headlines last summer after he was charged with assaulting his ex-wife and another man at a Manchester private club. Garrity pleaded not guilty, but a number of lawmakers called for his resignation.

Instead, Garrity won re-election last November and has kept a low profile at the state house. His voting record suggests he has only voted on two days since the session began in January, recording only eight votes and not voting 92 times.

A special election date has yet to be set. Democrats were talking about Mary Heath as a potential candidate. Heath is a former deputy commissioner for education, former Manchester educator and former Goffstown assistant superintendent. She also served on Gov. John Lynch's gambling commission and is the sister to Democratic National Committeewoman Kathy Sullivan.

No potential Republican candidate has emerged.

At the same time that Garrity's resignation was being announced in the House, Bill O'Neil, another Manchester Democrat, was being sworn in after winning a special election to the House last month.

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